Fire Department Chief retiring after serving Colorado Springs for 35 years

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Springs Fire Chief Ted Collas will retire on March 5 of 2021, according to city officials. Collas first joined the fire department in 1985 and later became the chief in 2016.

Mayor John Suthers expressed his gratitude toward the seasoned firefighter in a statement Tuesday.

"Chief Ted Collas has honorably served the citizens of Colorado Springs for more than three decades, and highlights his career as an incredible leader of the CSFD,” Suthers said. “He leaves the fire department in a strong position as a fully-accredited organization that is widely respected within the industry."

Suthers said the city will do a national search to find a new leader for its fire department. However, there are also "strong and well-qualified" internal candidates already.

"I want to thank Chief Collas for his leadership, his commitment and his love for our city and wish him much joy and grandchild time in his retirement," Suthers said.

Collas said he will continue as fire chief until his retirement next year.

 “This career has been incredibly challenging, but equally rewarding," Collas said. "I grew up as a member of the Colorado Springs Fire Department, and had the honor of working alongside the most dedicated group of men and women all along the way.”  

Collas says he is planning on spending time with his family, especially his new grandson who is expected to be born early next month.

The city will begin looking for a new fire chief mid-November.